Voice from Bern
Do we want to take life with all its risks by hand again?
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National Councilor Monika Rüegger on the question of how to deal with viruses in the future.
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Of course, companies that the state forbids to do business in whole or in part due to the corona must be compensated by the government. And that quickly and easily. The official mold and bureaucratic obstacles must be resolved out of the way. Federal Bern and the cantons are challenged here – pragmatism is required.
The repayments of the aid money of around 35 billion Swiss francs (excluding guarantees) that have been given to date as a result of Corona will occupy us for the next 15 to 20 years. They will also burden our children and grandchildren and reduce their prospects for a free, open market economy with an attractive tax policy. It will be painful.
Unfortunately, there are also no short-term prospects. The Federal Council writes: “There will be no general opening strategy.” He leaves many branches of the economy, entrepreneurs and employees in the dark. In these days alone, Parliament has spoken in support funds of around 14 billion francs. Unfortunately, various individual applications were rejected, the acceptance of which would have helped in many cases, in particular to alleviate the human and interpersonal suffering. Three examples of this:
- Meetings with family and friends can be held again freely and without restriction, taking into account the hygiene measures of the Federal Office of Public Health: Application rejected.
- Carry out unrestricted worship services, including funerals, taking hygiene measures into account: Application rejected.
- Those who do not want to be vaccinated must not be disadvantaged – neither professionally nor socially: application rejected.
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Fortunately, by the way, my proposal was accepted that the “Büezer” working outside should not only have their lunch but also their mid-morning and afternoon snacks in a “pickling canteen” in the warmth.
Ultimately, however, in my opinion, the most important question is how we will deal with viruses in the future. Do we allow them to drive us around and restrict life in all possible forms and let the political and media excitement and panic wheel keep turning? Or do we want to take private, economic, sporting, cultural, social and public life with all its risks, dangers and imponderables by hand again? I advocate the latter.
Monika Rüegger, SVP National Councilor Obwalden
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